I was draining the gearbox oil out before taking the box out to investigate an awful oil leak from the tail shaft. I took the drain plug out but my attention was on making sure the oil went into the tray and I put the plug down on the ground. When I went to pick it up again I noticed this next to it, didn't notice it before - can anyone identify it please. The nearest I can see on the workshop manual diagram is the plunger on the ant-rattle spring at the base of the gear lever but everything is still intact and I hadn't removed anything off the gearbox - that is if it's anything to do with the box at all. Any help is much appreciated.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
I think your diagnosis is correct... a brass anti rattle plunger. A former owner / mechanic is probably still trying to work out where that one went to !!
Bob
Weird. I've swapped box's a couple of times but never had that part to bits and it was covered in clean oil as if it had come out of the box when I drained it. Mystery
Someone may have dropped it down the gear-lever appeture after dislodging it, fitted another and just left that one to find its way to the bottom of the gearbox. Who knows.
Mystery solved, took the plug out and what do you know - no anti-rattle spring or plunger so fitted one of a spare gearbox Still got the spring floating around in there somewhere
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Still got the spring floating around in there somewhere 
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Well done.